Forget beige. Ditch the "clean girl" aesthetic. We are entering an era where more is definitely more, and honestly? It’s about time.
If you’ve been scrolling through your feed lately, you’ve probably noticed a shift. The muted tones of Western minimalism are taking a backseat to something louder, prouder, and infinitely more vibrant: Desi Maximalism.
This isn't just a fleeting trend we picked up from TikTok. For us, maximalism isn't a costume - it's our culture. It’s the riot of colors at a wedding, the clinking of stacked bangles, and the unapologetic glamour of 90s Bollywood. Desi Maximalism is a reclamation of our heritage, remixed for the modern cool girl who isn't afraid to take up space.
The 90s: Where It All Began
Let’s be real: if you grew up anywhere near Bollywood movies, Desi Maximalism found you early through unapologetic Indian fashion. The 90s were explosive—think Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!, Dil To Pagal Hai, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. Each scene was a riot of color, glitter, and layers. Was it extra? Absolutely. Was it iconic? Undeniably.
Madhuri Dixit: The Blueprint
Remember Madhuri’s purple saree with the bold back in Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!, or those oversized floral lehengas layered with Kundan chokers? Every spin she did was a lesson in how to be soft and loud simultaneously. Her stacked bangles, dramatic bindis, and intricate braids loaded with gajras basically defined “more is more” way before the trend got its hashtag.
Sridevi’s Dramatic Power
If anyone knew how to make a style statement, it was Sridevi. In Chandni, her white chiffon sarees, paired with layers of diamond necklaces and maangtikka, became the OG “main character” look. Switch to Mr. India and Lamhe, and you’ll see her in heavy lehengas, chunky oxidized silver, and bindis that could stop traffic. She never dialed it down—even with a thunderstorm dance number.
The Rekha Effect: Maximalism’s Eternal Muse
No discussion of Desi Maximalism is complete without Rekha ji. Her iconic rich look in Kanjeevaram sarees, stacks of gold jewelry, bold bindis, and luscious gajras have been immortalized in films like Umrao Jaan and Silsila. Decades before maximalism was trending, Rekha perfected it on and off the screen, making every appearance a masterclass in heritage glamour. To this day, she embodies “more is more” with unmatched grace and drama, setting the gold standard for generations to come.
Raveena, Kajol, and Karisma: Maximalist Queens
Still need inspo? Watch Raveena Tandon’s rain-soaked orange sari and tip tip barsa paani dance in Mohra—that’s color maximalism on another level. Or Kajol’s scene-stealing wedding fits in DDLJ and K3G, where layering meant multiple dupattas, extrovert jewellery, and never less than three textures in a single outfit. Add Karisma Kapoor’s jangly hoops, glittery bindis, and teased-up hair in Raja Hindustani or Dil To Pagal Hai—the woman was Y2K before Y2K.
Desi Maximalism: Deep Roots, Big Impact
So why did Desi Maximalism hit different? Unlike the fleeting “maximalism” cycle in Western fashion, ours is a story: a way to carry history, artistry, nostalgia, and identity on your sleeve (sometimes literally). In India, jewellery isn’t just an accessory; it’s loaded with meaning. That heirloom jadau choker is a family tree, and your stack of bangles is an archive. Patterns and bright saris are coded in folk, regional, and filmi references.
Culture in Every Layer
Desi Maximalism is rebellion and respect rolled into one. It’s about layering a vintage Banarasi with your dad’s old Nehru jacket or tying a bandhani dupatta over ripped jeans. It’s also about repping your state or community—from Punjabi phulkari to Rajasthani mirror work, or the heavy Andhra silk sarees that actresses like Rekha brought to red carpets.
Bold by Design: Indian Visual Culture Unfiltered
If you zoom out from closets to the wider world, Desi maximalism is honestly just the way we see. Think about those jhintak calendars hanging in kitchens, the riot of color in hand-painted signboards and truck backs, wild wedding cards that outshine invites anywhere else, or the drama of giant pujo pandals and matchbox art packed with stories. Our visual culture never believed in beige. It’s layered, unapologetic, and designed to make you look twice (then look again). Maximalism in India? It’s not a comeback or a fleeting trend—it’s home. We’ve always been expressive, always been bold, and the world might finally be catching on, but honestly, Desi maximalism never left.
How to Nail Desi Maximalism (Without Looking Like a Costume Party)
Color Clash, Don’t Match
Pull inspiration from Karisma’s red and gold lehenga in Dil To Pagal Hai’s wedding scenes or Juhi Chawla's riot of prints in Yes Boss. Layer jewel tones like magenta with green, saffron with cobalt blue. The trick? More is more is more.
Stack Everything
If you’re not clinking, you’re not trying. Layer chokers, rani haars, mangtikkas on foreheads, armfuls of glass and metal bangles, and a haathphool for good luck. Think Rekha at every awards show - the jewellery is never subtle, and neither should you be.
Big Bindis, Big Energy
A tiny black dot? Cute, but have you seen the oversized crimson bindis from Hum Saath Saath Hain or Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham? Glittery designer bindis are staging a comeback (try crystal patterns for full nostalgia points).
Bling > Subtlety
Embrace sequins, shimmer saris (check Raveena again in Mohra), zari borders, and metallic trims. “Too much” doesn’t exist here. If it catches the light, makes noise when you move, or feels slightly dramatic for daytime, it’s doing its job. Think outfits that arrive before you do.
Bollywood-ify Your Accessories
Channel your best Nagma-or-Urmila-in-chunky-jhumkas energy. Layer pearls with shells, clash metals, stack bangles like you mean it, and carry beaded bags that look borrowed from a 90s set. Anklets, nose rings, oversized hair accessories, nothing is off-limits. Remember, Poo approved everything extra, and she was never wrong.
Sneakers with Lehengas? Iconic.
Pair your heirloom lehenga with dad sneakers. Alia Bhatt and Janhvi Kapoor have been papped doing just this—the new twist is all about being bold and comfortable, like running to catch a train at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in a DDLJ-inspired look.
Why It Matters
Desi Maximalism isn’t just a style; it’s an act of nostalgia and self-love. It reclaims what generations before us cherished: the ritual of getting ready, the artistry of textiles, and the drama of silver screen wardrobes. It’s every girl who watched Kajol, Sridevi or Kareena own the frame and thought, “I want that energy.”
Aza's Take on Desi Maximalism
Want to see Desi Maximalism in action? We are about to showcase a few standout pieces that channel all the boldness and nostalgia of this iconic trend.
So here’s your cue: Raid your mom’s trunk, borrow her Banarasi saree, pile up the jhumkas, and strut like you’re in a slow-mo Bollywood montage. You’re not just dressing up—you’re channeling decades of cinema, artistry, and drama.
The world is ready for your entrance. Your move, main character.
